Started Taxotere question

[Scootman]

I started taxotere 2 weeks ago. I was wondering if anyone can answer a couple of questions. When I had SBRT the oncologist told me that the treatment may make the cancer angry and cause pain in those spots being treated. I was wondering if the same would hold true for the taxotere causing pain in the cancer spots like sbrt. Also how long does it take for the treatment to start working. and finally I had blood work done 10 days out to check my wbc which was extremely low. Will that happen with every treatment. I asked the oncologist about getting a covid shot with the low wbc and was told if possible wait till it goes up. Well it is pretty hard to know when it goes up without a blood test and where I am at you need to get on a list for the shot and go when you are called. It is not going to be able to just say I can come in because my wbc is up. Has anyone else been faced with these issues?

[Scootman]

Thank you do you have any insight on the rest of my question

[Scootman]

Thank you was having a little discomfort where I know I have some mets was not sure if it was the cancer growing or the chemo doing its job.

[Leader4077 in reply to Scootman]

Do the vaccine if you are over 60........2 docs told me COVID risk is to great to wait. The vaccine is NOT live, less dangerous. I started 1/26/21 and got the vax 2/4/21 when called. Sure enough, neutrophils are VERY low at 0.38 but WBC went up to 1.57 in 2 days last week from 1.03......started at 5.15 on 1/26......dosage was 75mg, standard. Lots of blood tests that first week after you have both Taxotere and the fax......no guarantees of safety, just vigilance.

Mike

[RalphieJr64]

Everyone handles chemo differently. I had 6 infusions of taxotere 3 and a half years ago. And now on my third infusion of jevtana. They both are bad. Each infusion gets a little worse. But if your white cell blood count is that low have your oncologist prescribe a neulasta shot for you. It will help. after each infusion

[Hidden]

Back in 2004, I had a blood draw on the morning of infusion. Always checked the WBC among others. Too low, and chemo was postponed. I never experienced that. Good luck.

[Brackenridge]

My Dad has bloodwork before each of his taxotere infusions - they’re monitoring his wbc and creatinine levels. He does get a shot of Neulasta with each infusion as well as taking dexamethasone after each infusion. He doesn’t have additional pain with the chemo but he is on half doses so maybe that makes a difference. He has already had the first dose of the Covid vaccine and will get the second on 2/18. His oncologist at Moffitt said it was safe to get the vaccine while on chemo but wanted to avoid giving it the same week as his steroid use.

[Dachshundlove]

Hi Scootman

The real issue with doing a vaccine during chemo is your body cannot generate meaningful immunity due to the chemo therapy induced compromised immunity.

Basically, you waste the vaccine. 6 months or so after you’ve completed chemo you may be able to generate a meaningful immune response to a covid vaccine.

[EdBar]

If your wbc is already low I’m certain that you can expect to be getting a shot of Neulasta to boost wbc production. Neulasta causes a pretty significant bone pain as your marrow shifts into overdrive. The nurse at the hospital I got my Neulasta shot at told me to take 24 Hour Claritin, an over the counter allergy medicine to reduce the bone pain. It works like a charm, she said they don’t know why it works, it just does. She instructed me to take it the day before, the day of and the day after my Neulasta treatment. And while I don’t know for sure, what Dachshundlove is saying makes sense, the chemo is going to take a heavy toll on your immune system so the effect of the vaccine will be nullified.

Ed

[Scootman in reply to EdBar]

So the claritin actually helped . I take it daily already.

[EdBar in reply to Scootman]

Yep, like a charm, without it the bone pain was somewhat intense.

[sandyrivera]

My dad was told to wait until being done with chemo to get the covid vaccine. He had his last infusion last week and is currently getting a zarxio injection for 7 days after the last infusion to help with the wbc. We were told anytime after the 7 days would be fine for him to get his covid vaccine.

[Kittenlover50]

As far as low WBC. Bill had a neuralasta injection after each treatment. It is given 24 hours after the treatment. You used to have to go back. They came out with a self injecting one that is taped to your arm and it automatically injects. Then you remove it. One fell off so he didn’t get the injection and that was the time his WBC was low.